Envelope-moistener



(No Model.)

' U. S. WATSON.

ENVELOPE MOISTBNER. r

Patented July 31, 1883.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES S. W'ATSON, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

ENVEhOPE-MOISTENER.

SBEQIFICATIONforming part of Letters Patent No. 282,247, dated July 31,1883.

Application filed March 29, 1883. (N0 model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES S. WATSON, a citizen of the United States,residing at Philadelphia,in the county of Philadelphia and State ofPennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in EnvelopeMoisteners and Closers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention consists of a hollow wedge open at its butt-end to receivea wet sponge or equivalent material, and having perforations through itsupper side for the passage of water or moisture from the sponge. Theinstrument is made in this form so as to adapt it to be slipped beneaththe flap of an envelope and drawn along from end to end of the same,thereby avoiding the necessity of raising it by hand, the flap beingpressed down upon the instrument by means of a spring or a finger, tocause the water to come in contact with the mucilage on its undersurface.

In the accompanying drawings, which make the instrument A, inperspective, in the position for softening the mucilage on the innerside of the flap. Fig. 2 is a face. view of the instrument A. Fig 3 isan edge view of the same. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section of Fig. 2.Fig. 5 is a top view of the instrument. Fig. 6 is an end view of thesame.

Like lettersof reference in all the figures indicate the same parts. a

Arepresents the envelope moistener and closer, which I make of metal orother suitable. material, and of wedge form, as represented in thedrawings, so that its thin end may be conveniently inserted under theflap a of the envelope B, for the passage of the instrument from end toend of the same, It has a chamber, 0, to hold a sponge, D, or cotton orother suitable absorbent, which is saturated Withwater for softening themucilag'e as the instrument is drawn along under the edge of the flap a,the water'oozing through the perforations b. As the instrument is drawnalong under the flap the spring E presses the latter down gently toreceive the water or moisture, which, as it passes through theperforations spreads over the mucilaged surface.

The butt-e11d of the instrument is open for the insertion of the spongeand to afford convenience in supplying it with water as oceasionrequires.

If desired, for the sake 3 of simplicity the spring E may be omitted,the forefinger in such case being used in its place, and in place of theperforations b in the upper side of the instrument there may be one ormore slots, if desired. After the sponging of the flap-the instrument isdrawn over it for closing the CHAS. s. WATSON.

Witnesses:

THOMAS J. BEWLEY, STEPHEN Us'rion.

